Dartmouth researchers have found the areas in the brain that signal bilingualism, which could potentially be a breakthrough in determining the human brain's language centers. The research was conducted using optical imaging technology called near infrared spectroscopy, and the researchers were among the first to utilize it for brain studies. For both monolinguals and bilinguals, findings show increased activity in the brain's left hemisphere. When bilinguals switched between two languages, there was especially increased activity in the brain's right hemisphere. Bilinguals may better utilize the neural language landscape for language in the brain, the study said.
The Class of 2010 Class Council elections brought in an unusually high number of freshmen voters this fall. While only 400 freshmen voted last year, 547 freshmen made their way to Thayer Dining Hall to cast their ballots this year. "I challenged people. I said since you're the Class of '10, find 10 friends -- 10 friends that are not here today -- and tell them to go out and vote," Associate Dean of Freshmen John Pfister said. According to the Class of 2010's newly-elected secretary, Zachary Mason, older class council officers made an effort to encourage and assist freshmen candidates. However, the election focused more on the success of the Class of 2010 rather than the success of a single candidate, Pfister said. "Many candidates said 'I don't care who you vote for, just get out and vote,'" Pfister said. According to Mason, the enthusiasm among the Class of 2010 has established a solid foundation and will likely result in a powerful legacy.
In the hope of encouraging student voting, a Campus Voter Registration Drive sponsored by the College Democrats, College Republicans and Student Assembly took place in Tindle Lounge on Wednesday evening. Representatives from all three campus groups were present to encourage voter turnout. "There are so many reasons [to vote]. Having young people be engaged and informed in this process and have a say in what's going on in their country is paramount to both the present and the future," College Democrats President Mike Heslin '08 said. All three groups stressed the importance of voting, especially for young people. "The national and local agendas are driven by adults, and students need to get their voices heard because we will be responsible for these issues in the future," College Republicans President Rahul Sangwan '07 said.
